IDAHO FALLS — A veteran Idaho National Laboratory communicator recently won a two-year term as the second vice president of the National Federation of Press Women. Teri Ehresman, a 19-year lab employee, is the communications liaison for INL's Nuclear Science & Technology directorate.

"Organizations such as NFPW are great ways to network with other professional communicators and learn from each other," she said. "NFPW is a strong supporter of the First Amendment, something which is near and dear to my heart."

Ehresman has been a member of the federation for more than 30 years, beginning when she worked at the Post Register. She recently served as president of the federation's Idaho chapter and currently leads its high school writing contest. In September 2008, she hosted and chaired the organization's national conference in Idaho Falls, which boasted about 200 attendees.

"Teri has played a significant role in highlighting and sharing the great work INL is doing in advancing nuclear energy, and her communications expertise has been an asset in helping educational institutions and elected officials better understand energy initiatives," Lientz said. "The NFPW will greatly benefit by having Teri in a leadership position. We are very happy for her."

The National Federation of Press Women was formed in 1937 by 39 women from seven states seeking "to provide a means of communication between woman writers nationally…and otherwise advance the professional standards of press women."

The Idaho chapter, which is now known as Media Network Idaho, comprises three dozen male and female members from throughout Idaho. Ehresman is helping organize its fall workshop, which will be Oct. 24 at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls. The theme is “Communicating in a changing world” and will discuss blogging, freelance photography, crisis communications and the future of newspapers and magazines in an electronic world.

INL is one of the DOE's 10 multiprogram national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

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